In the 100 years since William Hamilton Merritt set up his first mill, St. Catharines was on its fourth canal […]
2023 Guided Spirit Walks – Meet Your Guide: Jane
The annual Guided Spirit Walks are back again this September and we’re excited to share the profiles of the historic people included this year, and our wonderful cast of volunteer performers who will portray them.
Artifact of the Week: Stan Mikita Hockey Stick
This week’s artifact is a commemorative hockey stick signed by Stan Mikita. Mikita grew up in St. Catharines and played […]
One Hour in the Past E603 – Newspapers
Extra, extra! On today’s episode of One Hour in the Past Kathleen and Adrian discuss the transitional and ever-changing nature of news media and the conservator’s nightmare: newsprint/paper!
Art in St. Catharines: The Merritt Family
While the Merritt family is revered for their contribution to the building of the canal, their relationship to the artistic […]
Artifact of the Week: Goffering Iron
This week’s artifact is a goffering iron from the second half of the 19th century. Also called a fluting iron […]
2023 Guided Spirit Walks – Dr. Chauncey Beadle
The annual Guided Spirit Walks are back again this September and we’re excited to share the profiles of the historic people included this year, and our wonderful cast of volunteer performers who will portray them.
Artifact of the Week: White Military Gloves
This week’s artifact is a pair of white gloves which belonged to Gerald Steele and were used with his Royal […]
One Hour in the Past E602 – Superheroes and Comic Books
On today’s episode of One Hour in the Past, Kathleen and Adrian explore the moon-booted-history of Superheroes and Comic Books!
2023 Guided Spirit Walks – Alpheus St. John
Our spirit walks often employ a few fictional characters to help advance plot or narrative and to help other characters along. Especially when we get a lot of volunteer interest, we can have a bit more fun with larger scenes, more dialogue, and more interesting characters. We’re so pleased to have some local students join us as the fictional granddaughters of Alpheus St. John. In their scene, they are particularly curious about figuring out the history of the name of St. Catharines!
Artifact of the Week: Boy Scout Uniform Shirt, 1948-1953
This week’s artifact is a Boy Scout uniform shirt which belonged to Bill Sinnett. In his youth, he was a […]
2023 Guided Spirit Walks – Elias Smith Adams and Susan Merritt
The annual Guided Spirit Walks are back again this September and we’re excited to share the profiles of the historic people included this year, and our wonderful cast of volunteer actors who will portray them.
For our next character/actor profiles, we meet Elias Smith Adams and Susan Merritt portrayed by Des Corran and Brenda Schultz.
Artifact of the Week: Firefighter’s Speaking Trumpet
This week’s artifact is a speaking trumpet from the St. Catharines Fire Department c. 1881. These devices were used to […]
One Hour in the Past E601 – Dictionaries
On today’s episode of One Hour in the Past Kathleen and Adrian discuss the simultaneously boring and cool history of dictionaries.
2023 Guided Spirit Walks – George Rykert
Fictional settlers, (representing real opinions from historical sources) Abigail MacDonald, Jessie Frey, and Sarah Bryan have a bone to pick with Rykert after his town plan is laid out in the most awkward and disadvantageous ways. The scene unfolds quickly into familiar rants about road quality, property development, and the beginnings of urban settlement in our town.
Artifact of the Week: W. Bell & Co. Organ
This week’s artifact is a W. Bell and Co. organ patented on February 24, 1887. This organ was made in […]
VMLS via Podcast – Home Sweet Home
On today’s episode of VMLS via Podcast we’re sharing a lecture about urban development in St. Catharines – a long and storied tale. This lecture was originally presented on November 16, 2021 by Sara Nixon.
2023 Guided Spirit Walks – Gertrude Yale
The annual Guided Spirit Walks are back again this September and we’re excited to share the profiles of the historic people included this year, and our wonderful cast of volunteer actors who will portray them.
For our first character/actor profile, we welcome back Gertrude Yale, played by Amanda Balyk.
Artifact of the Week: 1958 Minor Baseball Crest
This Canadian Legion (H.T. Church Branch) badge recognizes the 1958 minor baseball all stars. 2011.20.5 Find more information and other […]
Museum Chat Live! E802 – Why Does History Change? A Perspective on the Evolution of Museums
In this episode of Museum Chat Live! Sean discusses the history of museums since the late 1700s. He delves into […]
Artifact of the Week: Silverwood Quart Milk Bottle
This week’s artifact is a 1-quart glass milk bottle from Silverwood Dairy. Silverwood operated a plant in St. Catharines from […]
VMLS via Podcast – Canada’s Game in the Garden City
On today’s episode of VMLS via Podcast our Visitor Services Coordinator Adrian Petry gives a lecture about the rich and exciting history of hockey in our city. Hear stories from the early days of pick-up on a frozen Welland Canal to Stan Mikita and the big-league games here at the Garden City Arena.
Artifact of the Week: Festival Wine Glass
This week’s artifact is a wine glass from the 1976 Niagara Grape and Wine Festival in St. Catharines. The annual […]
VMLS via Podcast: The Busiest Piece of Railway in Canada
On today’s episode of VMLS via Podcast special guest Andy Panko explores the Welland Canal Construction Railway, a railway built specifically to service the construction of the Welland Ship Canal. His lecture is titled “The busiest piece of railway in Canada” and was originally presented on October 5, 2021.
Artifact of the Week: Glasso Anti-Dimming Composition
This week’s artifact is a tube of Glasso Anti-Dimming Composition, including a box and cleaning cloth. This compound was used […]
History from Here: Walker’s Creek
Sycamore trees, Jefferson Salamanders, wild plums, nearly countless waterfalls, hot summers with snowy winters – these are just a few […]
Artifact of the Week: Military General Service Medal
This week’s artifact is a medal issued to Sergeant Angus Cooke I, who lived in Grantham Township from 1831-1860, for […]
Artifact of the Week: St. Catharines Collegiate Institute Medal
John Henderson was employed as Classics Master and later as Headmaster of the St. Catharines Collegiate Institute from 1872-1909. This […]
Artifact of the Week: Cooper’s Hoop Driver
This week’s artifact is a coopers’ hoop driver used in the Lincoln/Welland County area, possibly in St. Catharines. Used to […]
VMLS via Podcast: Adventures in Housekeeping
As the 20th century dawned with new excitement and a look forward to the next century, St. Catharines was in a period of growth and prosperity. Did that rosy picture translate into the home and domestic life? Look behind closed doors and catch a glimpse of the domestic sphere and how it was changing with the new century.
Picture This: 19th-Century Studio Photographers in St. Catharines
St. Catharines was on board with the photography boom of the late 19th century. The St. Catharines Museum collection contains […]
Artifact of the Week: Arctic Flying Suit
This week’s artifact is an arctic flying suit used by Air Commodore and famed “Saviour of Ceylon” Leonard Birchall during […]
Artifact of the Week: Scout Hat
This week’s artifact is a leather hat with press used by Hazen Davidson as a member of the 1st Merritton […]
Artifact of the Week: Canadian Navy Badges
These badges were owned by Frederick William Davis for his service in the Canadian Navy. 2004.13.75 Find more information and […]
Artifact of the Week: Horse Hair Couch
This week’s artifact is a horse hair couch donated by Mrs. Eldridge Affleck. Horse hair was commonly used in 19th […]
Museum Chat Live! E801 – Hearing History: Foghorn
This episode is the first in the Hearing History series, which explores the history of St. Catharines through sound. Close […]
Artifact of the Week: Fire Chief Pedal Car
Fire Chief Car No. 503 is a children’s riding car manufactured by American Machine and Foundry. It is constructed of […]
Yearbook Flip – Student Stanzas
1972-73 St. Catharines high school alumni are now celebrating their 50-year anniversary. Though they no doubt have witnessed many changes […]
Artifact of the Week: Ville de Mons Medal
This week’s artifact is a Ville de Mons Medal given to John Fitzgerald. This was a commemorative medal that was given to the members of the 3rd Canadian Division for liberating the Belgian Town of Mons on Nov 9th, 1918, two days before the end of the First World War. The ribbon is faded and at one time was the colours of the Belgian flag.
Artifact of the Week: Carbide Bicycle Lamp
This Miller’s Carbo Carbide Bicycle Lamp is a gas headlight, typical of those used on bicycles around the turn of the 20th century. Similar lamps were used on automobiles at this time. Operators beware: a collision could yield explosive results!